Houston and Rice will look to overcome their horrific starts today, but only one will be successful as the two Conference USA rivals butt heads at Reliant Stadium in Houston (3:30pm ET start time). Houston vs Rice Odds anticipate the Cougars getting off the schnide this afternoon as they are a -8 against the spread favorite in today’s game. The Over/Under in this city scuffle is set at 73 points.
Houston comes into today’s showdown with Rice sporting an uncharacteristic and unexpected 0-3 mark. The Cougars fell victim to Texas State, Louisiana Tech, and UCLA in en route to their unenviable record, leaving first year head coach Tony Levine scrambling to get his team back on track.
Pundits and odds makers expect Houston’s turnaround to start this afternoon when it meets a Rice team that also has three losses, two of which came to schools (UCLA, Louisiana Tech) that derailed the Cougars.
The Owls are an eyelash away from 0-4 as they just escaped Lawrence, Kansas with a 25-24 win over the Jayhawks.
If the recent past is any indication, Houston should get the job done today. The Cougars are 5-2 in their last seven meetings with the Owls; however, Rice has covered the number against Houston in four of the last six games.
Given the inconsistency of the two teams this season, perhaps, the best play in this contest is the Over 73. Five of the last six have soared Over the total and Houston has tallied 73 points on its own in two of the last three games between the schools.
Free Pick: Take the Over 73.
Houston vs Rice Odds:
Houston Cougars -8 (-110), Over 73 (-110), -320 (Moneyline)
Rice Owls +8 (-110), Under 73 (-110), +260 (Moneyline)
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